Absorbent article and method of production of an absorbent article

ABSTRACT

An absorbent article having a first essentially liquid permeable surface layer ( 13 ), a backing layer ( 14 ) and, located between said liquid permeable surface layer ( 13 ) and said liquid impermeable backing layer ( 14 ), an absorbent body ( 15 ). The absorbent body has cavities ( 20 ) which are essentially cone-shaped and extend at least through part of the absorbent body ( 15 ), said cavities ( 20 ) having a tip part ( 21 ) and a base ( 22 ), the tip part ( 21 ) being located towards or in the liquid permeable surface layer ( 13 ) and the base ( 22 ) being located away from the liquid permeable surface layer ( 13 ). The inner surface of said cavities ( 20 ) is treated with at least one functional substance.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to an absorbent article such as a diaper, a pantdiaper, an incontinence pad, a panty liner, a micro panty liner, asanitary towel or the like, having a first essentially liquid permeablesurface layer, a backing layer and, located between said liquidpermeable surface layer and said liquid impermeable backing layer, anabsorbent body comprising at least one layer.

BACKGROUND ART

When an absorbent article such as a diaper, a pant diaper, anincontinence pad, an incontinence product with a belt, a panty liner, amicro panty liner, a sanitary towel or the like is used, part of theskin is covered in all cases. This means that it is more difficult forthe skin to perspire, that is to say to breathe, often with the resultthat it becomes warm and moist inside the absorbent article. The problembecomes even more marked when the absorbent article has been used, thatis to say exposed to motions, urine, menstrual fluid or the like.

Apart from this feeling unpleasant and uncomfortable for the wearer,there are also direct hygienic aspects to be considered. A warm andmoist environment is a good breeding ground for bacteria, fungi and thelike. This becomes particularly marked in absorbent articles which havebeen exposed to motions, urine or menstrual fluid (or mixtures thereof),where a warm moist environment together with the bacterial variety whichoriginates from the bodily discharges can lead to active growth ofundesirable microorganisms with consequences such as unpleasant odours,skin irritation, rashes, itching and the like.

Attempts to bring about breathability in absorbent articles havepreviously been made by inter alia using what are known as breathablebackings. Document EP 1,040,800 A1, for example, describes a backinglayer made of plastic film with perforated holes. However, this documentdoes not offer an adequate solution to the problem as only those partsof the absorbent article which lie next to the backing layer can benefitfrom the breathable backing and the increased airiness it is said toafford.

Another problem in connection with breathable absorbent articles is thatmoisture from the skin of the user may condense on the outside of theabsorbent article. This may cause the article to be perceived as dampand wet and can be interpreted to mean that liquid has leaked throughthe article even though the article is, in fact, dry and has muchremaining absorption capacity.

For smaller incontinence pads, panty liners or micro panty liners, it isimportant to fully utilise the volume of the article since it isimportant that the articles are small, light and conformable. Thisimplies that it is undesirable to add functional substances orproperties to the absorption core which may negatively affect theabsorption capacity since it is already relatively limited due to thesmall size of the article.

Further, it is a problem in a purely production related sense to addfunctional substances without losing too much in production propertiessuch as production speed.

A need therefore exists not only to create a fully breathable absorbentarticle, which can transport moist air away from generally the whole ofthe absorbent article, but also to handle the moisture that istransported out from the absorbent article. A need also exists forcreating an administering means for adding functional substances to theabsorbent article and for solving or alleviating the just mentionedproblems.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

By means of the present invention, an absorbent article of the typereferred to in the introduction has been produced, which articleessentially eliminates the problems of previously known such articles.An article made according to the invention is characterized mainly inthat the absorbent body has cavities which are essentially cone-shapedand extend at least through part of the absorbent body, and in that saidcavities have a tip part and a base, the tip part being located towardsor in the liquid permeable surface layer and the base being located awayfrom the liquid permeable surface layer and that an inner surface ofsaid cavities is treated with at least one functional substance.

In one embodiment of the invention, said backing layer at leastpartially forms generally cone-shaped cavities in the absorbent body,the backing layer then being treated with at least one functionalsubstance.

In accordance with the invention, the interior of the absorbent body isexposed, and not only its outer surfaces, by means of the backing layerbeing actively formed to reach into at least a part of the absorbentbody.

The backing layer can be treated with at least one functional substance.By a functional substance is meant a substance which brings anadditional function to the absorbent body or the backing layer, i.e. afunction which the absorbent body and the backing layer would be lackingwithout the functional substance.

The backing layer can also act as a stiffening element for the absorbentarticle. This is advantageous in order to prevent the cavities fromcollapsing when the absorbent article is being used.

Below, the expression “essentially cone-shaped cavities” is used but itis obvious that the expression essentially cone-shaped cavity can beexchanged for pyramid-like or funnel-like shape or intermediate shapeswithin the scope of the invention. The shape of the tip of an ordinaryscrewdriver or a Phillips® screwdriver are also intended to be includedin the definition of an essentially cone-shaped cavity.

Hence, by essentially cone-shaped cavities are meant not only purelyconical cavities but also cavities having more sides than a pyramidalshape (a pyramidal shape has a base with three or four sides). It ispointed out that the more sides the essentially cone-shaped cavity has,the closer it comes to a pure cone shape. Thus, in line with theinvention, this implies that all generally cone-shaped cavities havingbases with more than three sides are to be regarded to fall within thedefinition.

Thus, in one embodiment, the envelope surface of the essentiallycone-shaped cavities is completely or partially formed by the backinglayer. The envelope surface will then have the surface properties of thebacking layer, which is very advantageous. For instance, by using ahydrophobic backing layer, it is possible to achieve a hydrophobicenvelope surface area aiding the essentially cone-shaped cavities in notletting through hydrophilic liquid such as, for instance, urine.

By making essentially cone-shaped cavities through at least part of theabsorbent body, an airy absorbent article is produced withoutappreciably impairing the leakage security. The absorption capacity inthe ventilated absorbent body can even be regenerated to a certainextent by virtue of the liquid drying out. The precondition for thisform of regeneration of the absorption capacity is that the absorbentarticle is very airy, that is to say breathable, because it should dryout as quickly as possible.

The liquid which the wearer discharges when wearing the article will notrun down into the essentially cone-shaped cavities on account of thecapillary forces in the tips of the cavities. As the cavities areessentially cone-shaped, the liquid will initially tend to remain in thetip of the cone, thereafter being absorbed by the absorbent body andthus not running through the article. The effect of capillary forces inconnection with absorption is well documented and does not have to beexplained further.

The treatment of the inner side of the essentially cone-shaped cavitiesor the backing layer in order to provide the absorbent body with furtheror improved properties works because the essentially cone-shapedcavities extend into at least a portion of the absorbent body, thusexposing the interior of the absorbent body to the functionalsubstances, thereby offering a number of possibilities of creatingproperties, i.e. function-adding and/or function-boosting properties inthe absorbent body by using the inner side of the cavities or thebacking layer. This can be done in connection with the formation of theessentially cone-shaped cavities in the absorbent body for instance bytreating the roller which makes the holes.

It is possible to modify the properties of the envelope surface in theessentially cone-shaped cavities by treating the backing layer before itis perforated and the essentially cone-shaped cavities are formed. Thebacking layer can also be treated during the perforation itself, forinstance by way of the perforation roller being coated with an agentwhich is transferred to the backing layer during the perforation. In thelatter case, the inner side of the essentially cone-shaped cavity willbe partially treated by treatment of the side of the backing layer whichis facing away from the absorbent body.

Among a number of possible treatments of the backing layer, pH-treatmentfor pH-control or treatment in order to obtain a more hydrophobicsurface may be mentioned. In some cases, it can be desirable to applytreatment in order to obtain a less hydrophobic surface or a hydrophilicsurface. It is also possible to employ an indicator treatment in orderto indicate various conditions such as temperature, moisture content,pH, enzymatic activity, or the like. Further, the backing layer can betreated in order to add bacteria in the article. One example of suitablebacteria is lacto-bacteria, but treatment for odour control or a numberof other similar functions is possible.

According to one embodiment, the backing layer is treated with asuperabsorbent material on the side which in normal use is facing awayfrom the user. Thereby, the inner side of the essentially cone-shapedcavities can collect condensed moisture from the skin of the user. Thismakes the article feel dry and fresh even during long periods of use.The superabsorbents can easily be attached to the backing layer by meansof adhesive. Alternatively, the superabsorbents can be placed within thebacking layer, the backing layer in such a case usually consisting of alaminate or similar.

Naturally, it is within the scope of the invention to treat both sidesof the backing layer with functional substances as well as only theinner side, i.e. the side of the backing layer which is facing theliquid permeable surface layer, or only the outer side, i.e. the side ofthe backing layer which is facing away from the liquid permeable surfacelayer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The invention will be described in greater detail below with referenceto figures shown in the accompanying drawings, in which

FIG. 1 shows a panty liner;

FIG. 2 a shows part of a section along the line II-II through the pantyliner in FIG. 1;

FIG. 2 b shows part of a section along the line II-II through the pantyliner in FIG. 1 for an alternative embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 c shows part of a section along the line II-II through the pantyliner in FIG. 1 for an alternative embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 d shows part of a section along the line II-II through the pantyliner in FIG. 1 for an alternative embodiment of the invention, and

FIG. 2 e shows part of a section along the line II-II through the pantyliner in FIG. 1 for an alternative embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

The invention can be applied to a number of different absorbentarticles, for example diapers, pant diapers, incontinence pads,incontinence products with a belt, panty liners, micro panty liners,sanitary towels or the like. However, only a panty liner will bedescribed below.

The panty liner 1 in FIGS. 1 and 2 a-e has an essentially elongate shapewith a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction and has twolong sides 2, 3, two short sides 4, 5, a first end portion 6 intended tobe facing forward on a user, a second end portion 7 intended to befacing rearward on a user and a crotch portion 8 located between thefirst end portion 6 and the second end portion 7, a longitudinal centreline 9 extending in the longitudinal direction of the panty liner and atransverse centre line 10 extending in the transverse direction of thepanty liner. Centre line means a line which runs in the longitudinal ortransverse direction and is located at an equal distance from the longsides 2, 3 or the short sides 4,5, respectively, of the panty liner 1.The panty liner 1 has a top side 11 which is intended to face the wearerduring use and an underside 12 intended to face away from the wearer.

The panty liner 1 comprises a liquid permeable surface layer 13 arrangedon the top side 11 so that it faces the wearer during use, and aliquid-barrier backing layer 14 on the underside 12. Arranged betweenthe surface layer 13 and the liquid-barrier backing layer 14 is anabsorbent body 15. The surface layer 13 and the liquid-barrier backinglayer 14 are suitably connected to the absorbent body 15 by adhesiveand, during manufacture of the panty liner, the various layers can bepressed together during adhesive bonding by an embossed roller, forexample around the edge 16 of the panty liner. It is also possible toemboss patterns into the article during manufacture. Inside the edge 16,the article is of essentially uniform thickness, which means that it hasa planar shape in order to obtain good contact with the outer parts ofthe genital area of the wearer.

On the underside 12 of the panty liner, there may be fastening means(not shown in the figure) in the form of, for example,pressure-sensitive adhesive. The adhesive can cover the entireunderside, be applied in parallel strands along the underside or beapplied to the underside in another suitable pattern such as, forexample, diamond patterns or dots. A removable protective layer can bearranged over the adhesive. The protective layer is removed by thewearer before fitting the panty liner in the underwear of the wearer.The protective layer can be, for example, what is known as a releasepaper which can consist of a plastic layer or a paper layer coated withsilicone, but can also be made of another material with releasecharacteristics, for example a packing material. It is also possible touse other fastening means, such as hook-and-loop fasteners, for instanceVELCRO® or friction fastening.

The surface layer 13 can consist of any conventional material, forexample one or more nonwovens, one or more plastic films, perforatednon-woven, perforated plastic film, laminates of the materials justmentioned above or combinations thereof. The surface layer can behydrophobic or hydrophilic or both.

The backing layer 14 can consist of a material such as, for example, athin plastic film, or of a material which is in itself substantiallyliquid permeable. Further examples of suitable materials are nonwovens,rayon, cellulose fibres, cotton, liquid permeable plastic films ofpolyethylene, polyester, polystyrene or polypropylene, foam, nonwovensor laminates of nonwovens and liquid permeable plastic films. It is alsopossible to provide the backside of the panty liner with a liquidpermeable backing layer of, for instance, SMS(spunbond-meltblown-spunbond). It is important that the material in thebacking layer 14 be chosen so that it is well adapted to at least one ofthe functional substances.

In accordance with one embodiment, the backing layer consists of asomewhat more rigid material so that the cavities will not collapsecompletely during use. However, it is good if the backing layer isflexible and elastic so that the cavities may deform during a shorterperiod but regain their initial shape when they are no longer exposed topressure or other forms of stress which may cause deformation. Someexamples of materials (as well as certain combinations of materials)which have been found to have sufficient bending stiffness and torsionalstiffness to temporarily or permanently resist uncontrolled deformationare described in EP 0 336 578 where also the measuring method ASTM D4032-82 “Circular bend procedure” is described in detail.

In one embodiment, the backing layer 14 is essentiallyliquid-impermeable. The backing layer 14 can therefore consist of anymaterial which satisfies the criterion of liquid-impermeability so thatleakage from the underside is prevented and which has sufficientflexibility and skin-friendliness for the purpose. A backing layer whichconsists of a laminate of a liquid impermeable plastic layer facing theabsorbent body and a nonwoven facing the undergarment of the wearerprovides a leakage secure barrier layer having a textile feel. Furtherexamples of suitable materials are nonwoven, rayon, cellulosic fibres,cotton, plastic films made of polyethylene, polyester or polypropylene,foams, nonwovens and laminates of nonwovens and plastic films. Inaddition, it is possible to provide the backside of the panty liner witha liquid-impermeable backing layer of for instance SMS(spunbond-meltblown-spunbond). It is important that the material in thebacking layer 14 be chosen so that it is well adapted to at least one ofthe functional substances.

The absorbent body 15 is suitably made from natural fibres such as, forexample, cellulose pulp, absorbent synthetic fibres or mixtures ofnatural fibres and synthetic fibres. The absorbent body 15 preferablyconsists of an airlaid cellulose body. It is also possible to mix whatare known as superabsorbents into the absorbent body. The absorbent body15 can also contain additional components such as shape-stabilizers,liquid-spreading means or binders. It is also possible to use varioustypes of absorbent foamed material in the absorbent body. The absorbentbody can of course be constructed from one or more different layers; atleast one admission layer, for example, can also be included in theabsorbent body. In the following figures, the absorbent body and theadmission layer are described separately, but this is only to indicate anumber of different embodiments which are possible within the scope ofthe invention and is not intended to limit the definition of absorbentbody to a body without an admission layer.

An admission layer 17 is arranged between the surface layer 13 and theabsorbent body 15. The purpose of the admission layer 17 is to drawliquid into the absorbent article, spread the liquid and transport theliquid down to the absorbent body 15. The admission layer 17 can be madeof, for example, a low-density non-woven material, wadding, high-loftmaterial or the like.

FIG. 2 a shows part of a section through the panty liner in FIG. 1 alongthe line II-II in FIG. 1. The panty liner also shows the surface layer13, the liquid-barrier backing layer 14 and also the admission layer 17and the absorbent body 15. The admission layer 17 is located between thesurface layer 13 and the absorbent body 15. The absorbent body 15 islocated between the admission layer 17 and the backing layer 14. Thepanty liner 1 in FIGS. 1 and 2 has essentially cone-shaped cavities 20which, in this embodiment, extend all the way through the absorbent body15 and a little way into the admission layer 17. The essentiallycone-shaped cavities 20 have a tip 21 and a base 22, the tip 21 having asmaller circumference than the base 22. According to FIGS. 2 a-e, thetip is located closer to the surface layer 13 than the base 22. Thecone-shaped cavities 20 also each have an inner wall 23 or envelopesurface which consists entirely or partly of the backing layer 14 which,during manufacture, helps to form the essentially cone-shaped cavities20. The inner wall 23 also helps, after manufacture, to keep the shapeof the essentially cone-shaped cavities 20. The inner wall 23 of theessentially cone-shaped cavities 20 can also consist entirely or partlyof the absorbent body 15 in a manner not shown in the figure.

FIG. 2 b shows part of a section of another embodiment. The sectionshows the surface layer 13, the backing layer 14 and also the admissionlayer 17 and the absorbent body 15. The admission layer 17 is locatedbetween the surface layer 13 and the absorbent body 15. The absorbentbody 15 is located between the admission layer 17 and the backing layer14. The panty liner in FIG. 2 b has essentially cone-shaped cavities 20which, in this embodiment, extend all the way through the absorbent body15 and all the way through the admission layer 17. The essentiallycone-shaped cavities 20 have a tip 21 and a base 22, the cavity having asmaller circumference at the tip 21 than at the base 22. In FIG. 2 b,the tip 21 is located closer to the surface layer 13 than the base 22.The cone-shaped cavities 20 also each have an inner wall 23 whichconsists entirely of the backing layer 14.

FIG. 2 c shows part of a section of a further embodiment of a pantyliner. The section shows the surface layer 13, the backing layer 14 andalso the admission layer 17 and the absorbent body 15. The admissionlayer 17 is located between the surface layer 13 and the absorbent body15. The absorbent body 15 is located between the admission layer 17 andthe backing layer 14. The panty liner in FIG. 2 c has essentiallycone-shaped cavities 20 which, in this embodiment, extend all the waythrough the absorbent body 15 and part of the way through the admissionlayer 17. The essentially cone-shaped cavities 20 have a tip 21 and abase 22, the circumference of the cavities being smaller at the tip 21than at the base 22. The cone-shaped cavities 20 also each have an innerwall 23 or envelope surface which consists partly of the backing layer14 and also of the absorbent body 15 and to a certain extent theadmission layer 17.

FIG. 2 d shows part of a section of a further embodiment of a pantyliner. The section shows the surface layer 13, the backing layer 14 andalso the admission layer 17 and the absorbent body 15. The admissionlayer 17 is located between the surface layer 13 and the absorbent body15. The absorbent body 15 is located between the admission layer 17 andthe backing layer 14. The panty liner in FIG. 2 d has essentiallycone-shaped cavities 20 which, in this embodiment, extend all the waythrough the absorbent body 15 and all the way through the admissionlayer 17 and also through the surface layer 13. The essentiallycone-shaped cavities 20 have a tip 21 and a base 22, the circumferenceof the cavities 20 being smaller at the tip 21 than at the base 22. Thecone-shaped cavities 20 also each have an inner wall 23 or envelopesurface which consists partly of the backing layer 14 and also of theabsorbent body 15 and to a certain extent the admission layer 17 and thesurface layer 13.

FIG. 2 e shows part of a section of a further embodiment of a pantyliner. The section shows the surface layer 13, a first backing layer 24and also the admission layer 17 and the absorbent body 15. The admissionlayer 17 is located between the surface layer 13 and the absorbent body15. The absorbent body 15 is located between the admission layer 17 andthe first backing layer 24. The panty liner in FIG. 2 e also hasessentially cone-shaped cavities 20 which, in this embodiment, extendall the way through the absorbent body 15 and all the way through theadmission layer 17 and also through the surface layer 13. Theessentially cone-shaped cavities 20 have a tip 21 and a base 22, thecircumference of the cavities 20 being smaller at the tip 21 than at thebase 22. The cone-shaped cavities 20 also each have an inner wall 23 orenvelope surface which consists partly of the first backing layer 24 andalso of the absorbent body 15 and to a certain extent the admissionlayer 17 and the surface layer 13. The panty liner in FIG. 2 e also hasa second, outer backing layer 14 which is located against the firstbacking layer 24 so that the essentially cone-shaped cavities 20 are notvisible, or are not immediately conspicuous. The first backing layer 24and the second backing layer 14 can consist of the same material but canalso consist of different materials. Preferably, at least the secondbacking layer 14 is made of an essentially breathable material.

Within the scope of the invention, it is also possible to arrange afurther absorbent body, for instance similar to the existing absorbentbody 15, between the first backing layer 24 and the second backing layer14.

Some Examples of Functional Substances:

The best way to avoid the occurrence of dermatitis is to createconditions counteracting the factors that start and support the diaperdermatitis process. For this reason, the aim should be to keep the skinas dry as possible (something that is made possible for instance withthe present invention), to air the skin frequently and to change wetdiapers. Mechanical shear forces should be minimised by choosingmaterials that are as smooth and soft as possible, thereby reducingchafing between the diaper and the skin. Further, it is possible tostrengthen the barrier against penetration of irritants and enzymes byadding a softening and protecting lotion or cream to the skin. In moreserious cases of dermatitis, micro-organisms may have infected thedamaged skin and treatment with more active means will be required. Insuch instances, ointments with cortisone and various fungicides andbactericides are used. Accordingly, it is advantageous to reduce theamount of aggressive micro-organisms in the absorbent article.

As previously mentioned, the backing layer exposes the absorbent body tothe functional substances. Moreover, the substances in accordance withone embodiment of the invention are pressed out of the tip of the cavitywhen the absorbent article is exposed to pressure, for instance whenbeing sat on. This implies that if, for example, a skin care agent isapplied to the inner side of the cavities, it will be pressed outtowards the liquid-permeable surface layer through the tip of the cavityand subsequently be transferred to the user.

A skincare agent can be used in order to prevent, alleviate or healdermatitis. In the manufacturing process, the functional substances canbe in the form of a solution, a suspension, a cream, a lotion, a salve,a paste, a gel, a foam, an aerosol, a capsule or in a solid state asparticles, flakes, fibres, films, foam, waddings, sticks, etc. In caseswhere the agent does not attach to the backing layer by itself, it canbe suitable to glue it on, for instance with adhesive, for example hotmelt adhesive, by laminating or to attach the agent to the backing layerin some other way.

By a Functional Substance is Meant (Separately or in a Mixture):

Lipids (fats, oils, waxes), solvents (including water), water-solublesubstances, surface-active agents (emulsifiers, surfactants),viscosity-regulating substances, pH-regulating substances, preservingagents, complexing agents (e.g. chelates), delivery systems (e.g.liposomes, microcapsules, etc), pigments, perfumes, and activesubstances (also pharmaceutical agents). The lipids are usuallyemulsified in water, known as o/w emulsion, or water is emulsified inthe lipid phase, known as w/o emulsion.

The functional substance can include lipids such as:

paraffins (alkanes) with 12-35 carbon, for example paraffin oil (mineraloil) or petrolatum (vaseline).

Triglycerides, refined and/or hydrogenated, animal or vegetable withpreferably carbon chain lengths of under C-18 (e.g. milk fat, coconutoil Cocous nocifera, palm-kernel oil Elaeis guineeis), animal orvegetable with unsaturated C-18 fatty acids (e.g. Japan wax Rhussuccesdanes, tallow fat, soybean oil Glycerin soya, peanut oil Arachaishypogaea, maize oil Zea mays, sunflower oil Helanthus annus, grapeseedoil Vitis vinifera, safflower oil Carthamus tinctorius, sweet almond oilPrunnus amygdalus dulcis, hazelnut oil Corylus americana, walnut oilJuglans regia, olive oil Olea europasa, avocado oil Persea gratissima,sesame oil Sesamum indicum, tall oil, Tallol, cottonseed oil Gopssypium,palm oil Elaesis guineensis, rice oil Oryza sativa, rape oil Canola,apricot-kernel oil Prunus armeniaca, cocoa butter Theobroma cao, sheabutter Butyrospermum parkii, wheatseed oil Triticum vulgare, Bassialatifola), animal or vegetable with carbon chains over C-18 (e.g.beeswax Cera alba, shellac wax Shellac cera, meadowfoam seed oilLimnanthes alba, rapeseed oil Brassica capmestris, cucumberseed oilBorago officinalis, linseed oil Linum usitatissimum, ricin oil Ricinuscommunis, veronia oil Veronia galamensis, jojoba oil Buxus chinensis,candlewax Euphorbia cera, ongokea oil Ongokea gore).

Fatty alcohols with straight or branched carbon chain lengths of 12-32carbons. For example, cetyl alcohol or stearyl alcohol.

Fatty acid esters with 12-32 carbons. For example, methyl palmitate,methyl stearate, isopropyl myristate, isopropyl laurate, isopropylpalmitate, isopropyl stearate, octyl palmitate, octyl stearate or octyllaurate.

Polyalcohols. For example, sugar alcohols or polyglycerols.

Complex lipids. For example, phospholipids or sphingolipids (ceramides).

Waxes. Of animal origin, for example beeswax or lanolin. Of vegetableorigin, for example carnauba or candelilla. Of mineral origin, forexample ozocerite or ceresin.

Polysiloxanes. Straight, branched or cyclic. For example,polydimethylsiloxane (dimethicone) or polydiethylsiloxane.

The functional substance can include emulsions such as:

Emulsions of one or more fats with hydrophilic substances such as water,glycerol, polyethylene glycol (PEG), propylene glycol, butylene glycol,sorbitol, silicone glycols or the like or mixtures thereof.

The functional substance can include substances which adsorb irritatingcomponents in urine or excrement. For example, clay mineral (bentonite,kaolin, montmorillonite, etc), silicon oxide compounds (quartz,zeolites, water glass, etc) or activated charcoal. The substances canadvantageously have been activated to be more adsorbent by means ofvarious treatments, for example with quaternary ammonium compounds.

The functional substance can include enzyme inhibitors. For example,metal salts of iron or zinc, trace amounts of heavy metal ions such ascopper or silver, ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA), soybeantrypsin inhibitor, lima bean protease inhibitor, maize proteaseinhibitor, stearylglycyrrhetinate, glycerol triacetate, betainecompounds, sulphobetaine compounds, cholestyramine,p-guanidinobenzoates.

The functional substance can include pH-regulating additives. Forexample, organic or inorganic acids such as adipic acid, ascorbic acid,benzoic acid, citric acid, malic acid, tartaric acid, lactic acid,phosphoric acid or hydrochloric acid. Or buffers made for example fromsaid acids with corresponding salts. Can also include polymeric acids,for example polyphosphoric acid or polyacrylic acid.

The functional substance can also include additions of probioticmicroorganisms, characterized by being antagonistic towards undesiredmicroorganisms, e.g. urinary tract pathogens or skin infectionpathogens. Examples of probiotic microorganisms which can be used areindividual strains or mixtures of several strains of lactic acidbacteria taken from the species Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacilluscurvatus, Lactobacillus plantarum or Lactococis lactis.

The functional substance can also include more or less active substancessuch as:

Anti-inflammatory agents, e.g. acetylsalicylic acid, allantoin, azulen,alpha-bisabolol (chamomile), flavonoids, glycyrrhizinic acid, ichthammol(Inotyol®)), tannins.

Astringents (vasoconstrictors), for example TiO, ZnO (and other Zncompounds), aluminium acetate solution, aluminium tartrate solution (andother Al compounds), ethanol or ethanol-based solutions.

Aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis), alpha-hydroxy acids (citric acid, tartaricacid, lactic acid, malic acid, etc.), algae extract, ascorbic acid(vitamin C), vitamin A compounds (retinol, retinal, tretinoin andisotretinoin), avocado sterols, betaine (trimethylglycine), ceramides,grapeseed extract, essential fatty acids, flavonoids, phytosphingosine,phytosterols, hyaluronic acid, yeast extract, chitosan, milk protein(Lactis proteinum), pantenol (provitamin B5), polysaccharides, rosemaryextract, tocopherol (vitamin E), ubiquinone (coenzyme Q10), urea.

Antimicrobial agents, for example amorolfin, antibiotics, bacitracin,benzalkonium chloride, benzetonium chloride, cetrimide, fusidic acid,gentian violet (methylrosaniline chloride), hexachlorophene,hexylresorcinol, imidazole derivatatives (for example biphonazole,econazole, ketoconazole, chlotrimazole, miconazole), chlorhexidine,nystatin, povidone-iodine, terbinafin, triclosan, hydrogen peroxide.

Antiviral agents, for example acyclovir, imiquimod, podophyllotoxin,podophilox, cidofovir, penciclovir, vidarabin, idoxuridine,trifluridine, tromantadine, lamivudine.

The functional substance can also include glucocorticoids, preferably oflow potency, for example hydrocortisone, or antipruritic, for exampleantihistamines or local anaesthetics (e.g. lidocaine).

The functional substance can also consist of ready-made mixtures of skinointments, creams and lotions. For example, Necesse® Lotion(ingredients: aqua, propylene glycol, liquid paraffin, octyl octanoate,urea, PEG-8 distearate, steareth-2, steareth-21, betaine, lactic acid,tocopheryl acetate, dimethicone, tromethamine, methylparaben,propylparaben, perfume), Necesse® Skin Cream (ingredients: aqua, liquidparaffin, octyl stearate, sodium chloride, urea, glyceryl stearate,stearic acid, cetearyl alcohol, PEG-30 stearate, tocopheryl acetate,tromethamine, dimethicone, methylparaben, sorbic acid, propylparaben,perfume), Necesse® Barrier Cream (ingredients: petrolatum, glycerol,Arachis hypogaea, triethyl citrate, tocopheryl acetate) or Necesse® ZincOintment (ingredients: petrolatum, Arachis hypogaea, zinc oxide, retinylpalmitate, tocopherol). Necesse® products are sold commercially by SCAHygiene Products, Gothenburg, Sweden.

The functional substance may comprise superabsorbents in the form ofparticles or fibres. A cross-linked polyacrylate can, for instance, beused (one example of such a polyacrylate is disclosed in detail in EP 0391 108). Further, what is known as acidic superabsorbents may also beincluded.

1. Absorbent article having a first essentially liquid permeable surfacelayer, a backing layer and, located between said liquid permeablesurface layer and said liquid impermeable backing layer, an absorbentbody wherein the absorbent body has cavities which are essentiallycone-shaped and extend at least through part of the absorbent body, andsaid cavities have a tip part and a base, the tip part being locatedtowards or in the liquid permeable surface layer and the base beinglocated away from the liquid permeable surface layer, and an innersurface of said cavities is treated with at least one functionalsubstance.
 2. Article according to claim 1, wherein said backing layerat least partially forms the essentially cone-shaped cavities. 3.Article according to claim 1, wherein the backing layer is treated withat least one functional substance.
 4. Article according to claim 1,wherein the backing layer is essentially liquid impermeable.
 5. Articleaccording to claim 1, wherein the functional substance is chosen amongone or more of: superabsorbents, pH-controlling substances, adhesive,anti-microbial substances, glucocorticoids, antiviral agents, probioticmicroorganisms, enzyme inhibitors, lipids, silicone oxide compounds oractive substances, for instance antipruritic substances.
 6. Articleaccording to claim 1, wherein the article comprises a second backinglayer which is essentially liquid impermeable.
 7. Article according toclaim 4, wherein a further absorbent body is placed between the firstand the second backing layer.
 8. Article according to claim 1, whereinthe functional substance is applied to the side of the backing layerfacing the liquid permeable surface layer.
 9. Article according to claim1, wherein the functional substance is applied to the side of thebacking layer which is fading away from the liquid permeable surfacelayer.
 10. Article according to claim 1, wherein the backing layer is alaminate.